ROBB REPORT INDIA JULY 2014 ROBB REPORT INDIA JULY 2014 THE WORld’s TOP 100 RESORTS EARTH’S MOST EXCLUSIVE RETREATS 1: ROW FROM TOP: PAGE OPPOSITE HE WORLD’S TOP 100 RESORTS initially debuted as a stand-alone publication in the summer of 2006. The inaugural compilation of the world’s most exclusive retreats was the result of countless hours spent analysing and debating the detailed reports we gleaned from editors, writers, readers, travel consultants, T 2 LEFT: ROW and other experts on their far-reaching adventures around the globe. Eight years later, our list—much like the E D W state of travel itself—continues to evolve as we re-evaluate our old favourites, investigate new contenders, and AR D M SELFE whittle the selections down to a perfectly rounded 100. This year’s edition represents our most diverse collection ICHAEL of properties to date, from elite island retreats in Mozambique, Mauritius, and Montenegro to groundbreaking JACKIE 2 RIGHT: ; ROW E VANS; ROW 3 LEFT: 3 LEFT: ROW VANS; new resorts in Zambia, Nicaragua, and the Ecuadoran cloud forest. Whether close to home or in Earth’s most remote corners, adventurous or utterly relaxing, the Robb Report World’s Top 100 Resorts is sure to include the consummate escape for every Robb Report traveller. ➤ K C EN ARA H D AY ONIO; ONIO; D EN EN All pricing information is listed in US dollars per room, per night, based on double occupancy, unless otherwise noted. ROBB REPORT INDIA JULY 2014 ROBB REPORT INDIA JULY 2014 ASIA & THE PACIFIC THE WORld’s TOP 100 RESORTS EUROPE Natural Selection FOUR SEASONS RESORT LANGKAWI, LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA THE FOUR SEASONS Resort Langkawi employs a team of resident naturalists, who lead guests on boat safaris to explore the wildlife-rich mangrove forests, deserted islands, and Cambrian-era limestone formations of their Andaman Sea surroundings. The environs are equally enticing in the resort’s 91 Moorish-style pavilions and villas, which are outfitted with soaring ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and expansive verandas. Set within a former fishing village, the 48-acre property abounds with lavish gardens and thick jungle forests that are home to monitor lizards, macaque monkeys, and great hornbills. The grounds also include such local delights as a Malay seafood restaurant, one of the four dining options, and a spa that incorporates native herbs and oils in its treatments. The Four Seasons’ primary attraction, however, remains a natural one: The broad sandy beach that leads to the aquamarine EET S Andaman Sea. ($600–$10,600) www.fourseasons.com —CYNTHIA ROSENFELD EN K ROBB REPORT INDIA JULY 2014 ROBB REPORT INDIA JULY 2014 ASIA & THE PACIFIC THE WORld’s TOP 100 RESORTS INDIA and a holistic spa make A manbagh for a sublime escape. JAIPUR ($650–$3,225) A lush oasis on a www.alilahotels.com maharaja’s former estate, featuring traditional A manjiwo Letter Perfect Mughal-style architecture CENTRAL JAVA and 40 opulent guest An enduring favourite D-HOTEL MARIS, MARMARIS, TURKEY rooms adorned with among Aman junkies, FROM Its PERCH along a rocky outcropping above the Aegean Udaipur green marble this monumental Sea, the D-Hotel Maris looks out over an assemblage of mega- and Indian silks. Explore compound of Yogyakarta yachts and sailboats plying the Turkish Riviera’s most fashion- the Sariska jungle on limestone offers private able waters. The modernist retreat, which completed a renova- horseback or camelback early-morning access to tion in 2013, takes full advantage of its Datça Peninsula setting before taking a cruise Borobudur, one of the (on Turkey's Asian side), with floor-to-ceiling windows in each on LakeManasarovar. world’s largest Buddhist of the 200 accommodations and a collection of sea-view dining ($800–$1,400) monuments. Return to and drinking venues including a whisky and Cognac bar, a sushi www.amanresorts.com unwind in one of the bar, and a Turkish restaurant. An Espa facility offers hammam 36 pavilion suites (each rituals and an Aegean seashell massage, while a swimming pool T aj Falaknuma Palace with a thatch-roofed carved into the edge of a cliff overlooks distant pine-covered HYDERABAD terrace) or a Javanese- isles. Many guests, however, prefer to while away the days in (See page 53) tiled swimming pool the shade of a cabana on one of the D-Hotel’s five private set among rice fields. beaches. Should you feel the urge to venture out, the resort’s U maid Bhawan Palace ($950–$3,000) fleet of aircraft and watercraft—which includes a private plane, JODR HPU www.amanresorts.com a helicopter, two yachts, and a multitude of catamarans and Built between 1928 and water toys—is sure to make a statement on this stylish stretch 1943 for the maharaja Como Shambhala of coast. ($710–$11,570) www.dhotel.com.tr —ALEXANDER KULISH of Jodhpur, this 26-acre Estate desert palace remains BALI the official abode for the Tucked away on 23 acres AUSTRALIA lodge with views out to the Coral Sea. Beyond the immersive experience, a journey to the nearby FRENCH region’s royal family. outside the cultural Berkeley River Lodge Great Oyster Bay and resort’s 30 private acres, book the Amankora ruins in one of the resort’s POLYNESIA Upon arrival, guests are capital of Ubud, this K YIMBERLE the Hazards mountain guests can enjoy golfing, Journey, an 11-night custom remorks (motor- Four Seasons Resort showered with rose holistic resort is Twenty villas set on range is a nature lover’s snorkelling, and sailing. pilgrimage from Paro to powered rickshaws). Bora Bora petals before checking singularly transporting, massive sand dunes above paradise. Hike, fish, or ($875–$4,670) Bumthang that stops at ($1,050–$1,350) BORA BORA in to one of 64 offering 30 handcrafted the Timor Sea deliver kayak among the pristine www.qualia.com.au each lodge. www.amanresorts.com Set above a gin-clear exquisite art deco-style Balinese accommodations remote wilderness with surroundings, or visit the ($775 per person) lagoon, the property’s accommodations. and a results-driven all the trimmings. The Freycinet Marine Oyster Southern Ocean www.amanresorts.com 100 thatch-roofed ($370–$12,500) wellness spa. Enjoy journey to the resort, which Farm for fresh oysters Lodge FIJI bungalows and seven www.tajhotels.com mountain biking, is accessible only by air or plucked straight from K ANGAROO ISLAND Laucala Island villas accommodate hiking, yoga, meditation, sea, is as breathtaking as the bay. ($1,630–$2,500, (See page 52) CAMBODIA Just 25 villas—each everyone from and dips in aquatherapy the destination, where you including meals) www. A mansara outfitted with a pool— honeymooners to INDONESIA pools. ($400–$1,500) can fish for barramundi saffire-freycinet.com.au S IEM REAP inhabit this 3,200-acre multigenerational A lila Villas Uluwatu www.comohotels.com and spy on crocodiles and BHUTAN A former guest villa of private-island families. Enjoy a BALI rock wallabies. (Three- Qualia Amankora the Cambodian king A hideaway. The James catamaran outing Sustainable and stylish, XE L HA MILTON ISLAND PARO night packages from $3,600 Norodom Sihanouk, the K Bond-worthy amenities through the coral-filled this modern hideaway JAPAN U LL per person, all inclusive) The ultimate Great Barrier Five distinct lodges, with breathtaking 24-suite / are many, including a Pacific, a Tahitian comprising 65 pavilion- G ora Kadan R www.berkeleyriver.com.au Reef getaway, with 60 a total of 72 Bhutanese- estate is tops for setting, AINER fleet of 14 boats, a David ritual at the spa, and style pool villas is set HAKONE hillside pavilions (some style suites, set throughout service, and amenities KL McLay Kidd golf course, French-Polynesian among the limestone cliffs Volcanic-stone-heated O Saffire Freycinet with private pools) the Himalayan country’s in this “temple town” STER and, debuting this year, cuisine at Arii Moana. of the Bukit Peninsula. spring waters fill the M TSA MANIA nestled among central and western near the Angkor Wat EIER a submarine. ($4,200– ($1,045–$14,930) Butler service, an outdoor baths at this This polished 20-suite eucalyptus trees above valleys. For a truly archaeological site. Take $40,000) www.laucala.com www.fourseasons.com Indonesian restaurant, Shōwa-era ryokan with 48 ROBB REPORT INDIA | JULY 2014 JULY 2014 | ROBB REPORT INDIA 49 ROBB REPORT INDIA JULY 2014 ROBB REPORT INDIA JULY 2014 ASIA & THE PACIFIC THE WORld’s TOP 100 RESORTS T risara in Phuket has 39 rooms and suites set among the treetops on a cliff above the Andaman Sea. views of Mount Fuji. A MALDIVES Intimacy former imperial retreat, Four Seasons Resort the inn offers 38 of Maldives at Landaa Redefined Japan’s most exquisite Giraavaru EUDENHO SE, NELSON, tatami rooms, plus B L AA ATOL NEW ZEALAND peaceful gardens and A Maldivian masterpiece CONSIstENTLY RATED BY top travel 10- to 13-course kaiseki with 103 overwater and magazines as one of the best luxury dinners. ($490–$870 beach villas. Snorkel lodges in New Zealand, and by home per person, including with marine biologists and garden magazines as one of the breakfast and dinner) at nearby Hanifaru Bay, prettiest, Edenhouse was not meant to www.gorakadan.com swim in the UNESCO be a hotel at all. The brainchild of a for- World Biosphere mer Australian finance honcho and his Reserve, or gaze upon real estate and design-driven Kiwi wife, MALAYSIA kaleidoscopic marine life the main building and the cottage were Four Seasons Resort through the ayurvedic built to serve as a home to live in and Langkawi spa’s glass floors.